Comprehensive Eye Exam - Southwest Eye Institute

Several eye diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, do not show noticeable symptoms in their early stages. An examination by an optometrist is the best option to ensure your eyes are happy and healthy.

A comprehensive eye exam will:

Ensure your eyes are healthy
Detect any early stages of glaucoma and macular degeneration
Stay proactive in reducing age-related vision loss
See signs of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
Plus, routine eye exams are your best opportunity to protect your eyesight!

What to Expect at Your Comprehensive Eye Exam

During your exam, your pupils will be dilated so our team can see your retina. This will allow us to check your vision and screen for eye diseases or disorders. If further testing is required, our optometrists will recommend additional testing or a visit with our highly specialized ophthalmologists.

If you experience any changes in your vision between regularly scheduled visits with your eye specialist, you should schedule an appointment at Southwest Eye Institute as soon as possible. Early detection of eye conditions and treatment can be the key to preventing vision loss.

When and why do I need a comprehensive eye examination?

A comprehensive eye examination is paramount to supporting good eye health and can be necessary at different points throughout your life. Here are three instances when you may need a comprehensive eye exam:

1. During Adulthood: As an adult, you should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years, even if you do not wear glasses or contacts, to ensure that your eyes are healthy and to check for any signs of eye disease.

2. With Risk Factors: If you have certain risk factors for eye diseases, such as a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, or if you have certain medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune diseases, you may need more frequent eye exams.

3. As You Age: As you get older, your risk for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration increases. It is recommended that adults over the age of 60 have annual comprehensive eye exams to monitor their eye health and catch any problems early.

Regular Vision Eye Exam

If you opt for a regular vision exam, our team will run simple tests to ensure the health of your eye, including testing your vision to determine the need for glasses and contacts or updating your current prescription. You will not be dilated for this exam.

You can also receive updated eyeglasses and contact prescriptions in addition to your comprehensive medical exam. It is important to note that your prescription will be charged separately from your comprehensive exam if you are using medical insurance.

Importance of Eye Exams

Eye exams are an important part of maintaining good eye health, but not everyone understands why they are so crucial. Have you ever considered the importance of your eyes in your daily life? They are one of the most important senses we have, and a good way to take care of them is through regular eye exams.

Much like annual physical checkups are an essential part of preventing the development of (undesirable) health issues, an eye exam can detect problems before they become more serious and can help prevent future eye issues. Some eye conditions that can be detected during an eye exam include glaucoma and cataracts, both of which develop and become more difficult to treat if they go undetected.

Eye exams are especially important for people who have a family history of eye disease, have certain medical conditions like diabetes, or who wear glasses or contacts.